Hey First name / friends!

 

I have some BIG news to share today and I’ve been counting down the days to tell you. 🥹💛

 

This year, for the first time ever, I opened up scholarships for The Art of Collections, my program that teaches artists how to build art collections that actually get licensed. I know not everyone has the means to invest in a program like this, so I wanted to create a path for a few passionate artists to join us completely for free.

 

Well… I was absolutely blown away.

When I first announced the scholarship program, I said I’d be awarding five full-ride spots. But after reading through nearly five hundred (!!!) heartfelt applications from talented artists around the world, I just couldn’t narrow it down. There were too many incredible stories and promising portfolios – so I decided to go with six. 💃🎉

 

Choosing was so hard, but these six recipients really lit us up with their stories, drive, and potential. They embody everything the CatCoq Collective™ stands for: creativity, community, ambition, and a deep commitment to growing their art businesses.

 

Without further ado… Let me introduce to you our incredible 2025 Scholarship Recipients!! 🎉🤗 

 

If you were one of the 500 people who applied, thank you from the bottom of my heart for sharing your story and your art with us. 💕 And even if your name isn’t on the list this time, I hope you keep going and keep pursuing your creative dream.

 

 

 

Everyone who completes all four prompts during my Mini Collection Challenge and shares their work on Instagram will be entered to win a scholarship to the program! 

 

It's currently Week 3 of 4, so you still have time to join in. 

 

When: Monday, July 22 at 11am Eastern
Where: On Zoom - RSVP Here to Get the Link!

 

We’re wrapping up our Mini Collection Challenge with a big celebration, and you’re on the guest list. I’ll be answering your questions, sharing art licensing tips, celebrating our scholarship winners, and talking about what’s next for those of you interested in growing your surface design career! This call falls on the first day doors open for The Art of Collections, so I’ll also be sharing a few collection strategy tips and giving you the scoop on what’s inside the program.

 

Whether you’ve been following along with the prompts or just cheering from the sidelines, I’d love for you to come hang out with us. 💕

The Celebration Mini Collection Challenge Resources

Share all four prompts from your collection on Instagram by July 21st at 11:59pm EDT to be entered to win a scholarship to my program, The Art of Collections!

Now for the next prompt in our mini collection challenge! The humble blender pattern! (aka simple coordinate, simple pattern, or filler pattern)

 

A blender pattern is a simple pattern related to the theme and subject of your collection. Adding blenders is one of the quickest and easiest ways to make your collection more strategic and enticing for licensing partners. (More on that below!)

 

In my collection example, the blender patterns are the chevron and herringbone patterns. These match the style and vibe of the collection with their hand-painted elements and coordinating color palette, but they're a little more understated than the patterns with larger illustrated elements from the collection.

 

It can be easy to dismiss simple patterns thinking that they won’t be as commercially viable as complex designs that took you hours to create.

 

 

I’ll be honest, I find blender patterns kind of challenging. I love to design complex patterns and illustrations because, well…it’s just more fun!

 

But when it comes down to it, blenders work GREAT on products. Many licensing partners are looking for more simple designs. I started to add simpler patterns to my portfolio a couple of years ago after my agents encouraged me to do so.

 

And my agents were right! The simple patterns I created quickly started to get attention from licensees.

 

Almost immediately after adding this tiny, simple mushroom pattern to my portfolio, it got picked up for licensing for an adorable stationery collection.

 

Want to learn more strategies and tips for creating blender patterns? Check out this blog post where I dive deep into the exact steps to take to make cohesive blenders!

I’m soooooooooo excited to see what you create this week! 

 

Don’t forget to share your patterns on Instagram with the hashtag #CreateWithCatCoq  and tag me @catcoq in the actual photo of your art for a chance to be featured in this newsletter and on my Instagram Stories.

 

I’ll be featuring submissions each week so you can cheer each other on and connect during this challenge! 

 

I am continually blown away by the amazing artwork you all are creating. Here are just a few of the gorgeous celebratory patterns from Week Two!

Have a fabulous week!